Colombia police officer Luisa Fernanda Urrea breastfeeds abandoned newborn baby and saves her life

The baby was discovered with the umbilical cord still attached in a remote forest

Luisa Fernanda Urrea was called to a remote forest settlement where the baby was found in the undergrowth

A Colombian police officer has been praised for saving the life of an abandoned newborn baby by breastfeeding her.

Officer Luisa Fernanda Urrea was called to a remote forest settlement where the baby was found in the undergrowth with the umbilical cord still attached.

The baby girl was starving and at risk of hypothermia, so Ms Urrea wasted no time feeding her from her own breast while waiting for medical assistance.

Ms Urrea told local media: “I’m a new mother and I have milk, and I recognised the needs that this poor little creature had.

“I think any woman would have given her nourishment in the same circumstances.”

The infant was found by Edinora Jimenez, 59, who was picking oranges when she heard sounds of crying.

Initially thinking it was the sound of a cat, she discovered the baby girl in the undergrowth and alerted the police.

Police commandant Javier Martin told local news source CEN: “The girl had some lacerations and was suffering from hypothermia. However, she was treated quickly and is now in good health.”

Después que encontraron la bebe abandonada en zona rural de tulua una integrante de la policia le da leche materna .

Posted by Radio Robledo on Monday, January 11, 2016

The baby is currently being cared for by the Colombian Institute of Family Welfare (ICBF) while the search for an adoptive family is underway.

Police are also investigating the whereabouts of the baby’s mother, who may face attempted murder charges.

Orphanage director Jhon Arley Murillo said: “We could be dealing with a case of attempted homicide, although it’s the prosecutor who will decide the charge.”